Not for Happiness: A Guide to the So-Called Preliminary Practices

Do you practise meditation because you want to feel good? Or to help you relax and be "happy"? Then frankly, according to Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, you are far better off having a full-body massage than trying to practise the Dharma. Genuine spiritual practice, not least the Ngndro preliminaries, will not bring the kind of comfort and ease most worldly people crave. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

In this modern spiritual classic, the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa highlights the commonest pitfall to which every aspirant on the spiritual path falls prey: what he calls spiritual materialism. The universal tendency, he shows, is to see spirituality as a process of self-improvement - the impulse to develop and refine the ego when the ego is, by nature, essentially empty. "The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use," he said, "even spirituality."

The Truth of Our Existence: Four Teachings from the Buddha to Illuminate Your Life

What would happen if we looked with fresh eyes at the struggles and "impossible situations" that we face every day - and found there four gifts that changed everything? For decades, Pema Chödrön has brought clarity and heart to the core teachings of the Buddha, helping to make them relevant and useful in our everyday lives. With The Truth of Our Existence, she immerses us in one of Buddhism’s essential distillations of written wisdom known as The Four Marks of Existence.

For more than 2,000 years, the Heart Sutra has been part of the daily life of millions of Buddhists. This concise text, so rich and laden with meaning, concentrates the very heart of Buddhism into a powerful and evocative teaching on the interdependence of all reality. In Essence of the Heart Sutra, the Dalai Lama masterfully unpacks the Heart Sutra so that any listener can benefit from its teachings - teachings meant to help us release ourselves from suffering and live with true compassion.

In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon

This landmark collection is the definitive introduction to the Buddha's teachings - in his own words. The American scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi, whose voluminous translations have won widespread acclaim, here presents selected discourses of the Buddha from the Pali Canon, the earliest record of what the Buddha taught. Divided into 10 thematic chapters, In the Buddha's Words reveals the full scope of the Buddha's discourses, from family life and marriage to renunciation and the path of insight.

The Bodhicaryavatara: A Guide to the Buddhist Path to Awakening

Written in India in the early eighth century CE, Santideva's The Bodhicaryavatara takes as its subject the profound desire to become a Buddha and save all beings from suffering. The person who enacts such a desire is a Bodhisattva. Santideva not only sets out what the Bodhisattva must do and become; he also invokes the intense feelings of aspiration which underlie such a commitment, using language which has inspired Buddhists in their religious lives from his time to the present.

The Life of Milarepa: The Classic Biography of the Eleventh-Century Yogin and Poet – One of the Most Renowned Spiritual Figures in Tibetan Buddhist History

The Life of Milarepa is one of the most beloved stories of the Tibetan people and a great literary example of the contemplative life. Jetsun Milarepa, the 11th-century Buddhist yogin and poet, started life as a black magician, gaining revenge for loss of heritage by casting terrible hailstorms and committing multiple murders.

On the Path to Enlightenment: Heart Advice From the Great Tibetan Masters

Ricard has selected and translated some of the most profound and inspiring teachings from across these traditions. The selected teachings are taken from the sources of the traditions, including the Buddha himself, Nagarjuna, Guru Rinpoche, Atisha, Shantideva, and Asanga; from great masters of the past, including Thogme Zangpo, the Fifth Dalai Lama, Milarepa, Longchenpa, and Sakya Pandita; and from contemporary masters, including the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and Mingyur Rinpoche.

Twenty-four of the Buddha's most distinguished disciples are brought to life in ten chapters of rich narration. They include monks who were very close to him throughout his life, including Sariputta and Mahamoggallana; his cousin and companion Ananda; his principal women disciples, including the nun Isidasi and his lay disciple, the courtesan Ambapali; and the serial killer Angulimala, whose character was transformed after meeting the Buddha.

Food for the Heart: The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah

This collection brings together for the first time Ajahn Chah's most powerful teachings, including those on meditation, liberation from suffering, calming the mind, enlightenment and the "living dhamma". Most of these talks have previously only been available in limited, private editions and the publication of Food for the Heart, therefore, represents a momentous occasion: the hugely increased accessibility of his words and wisdom.

No Self, No Problem: Awakening to Our True Nature

AnamThubten, in remarkably easy-to-understand language, provides teachings for doing exactly that, based on the wisdom of the Buddhist traditions. He illuminates the path of going beyond the misconceptions of the ego to experience the reality of our true nature, which is already enlightened. He communicates with clarity, humor, and refreshing honesty, lighting the way to a life full of love, compassion, and true satisfaction.

After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age

Some 25 centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts? Stephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is committed to a secularized version of the Buddha's teachings. The time has come, he feels, to articulate a coherent, ethical, contemplative, and philosophical vision of Buddhism for our age.

Publisher's Summary

So you think you're a Buddhist? Think again. Tibetan Buddhist master Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, one of the most creative and innovative lamas teaching today, throws down the gauntlet to the Buddhist world, challenging common misconceptions, stereotypes, and fantasies. With wit and irony, Khysentse urges listeners to move beyond the superficial trappings of Buddhism - beyond the romance with beads, incense, or exotic robes - straight to the heart of what the Buddha taught.

If you could sum up What Makes You Not a Buddhist in three words, what would they be?

Edgy. Unflinching. Clear. The premise of the book seems to be that being nice and smiley and a vegetarian, peaceful, passive and serene is not what makes someone a Buddhist. And he is going to prove it. He does not pull punches as he points out the hypocrisies of modern life. And he provides a very straightforward explanation for how Buddhisms view reality and our place in it - which is what makes one a Buddhist based on four concepts known as the Four Seals. They might be simple - but these are challenging concepts, and ones that students of Buddhism contemplate for their lifetimes, so this book is just an introduction. The writing is laced with a glint-in-the-eye, wry, and sometimes edgy sense of humor that is wonderful. All in all the narration is solid, but, unfortunately the narration does not convey the intended sense of humor at times, and at other times makes the author's emperor-has-new-clothes observations of our world seem to have to much of a bite, leaving them sound a bit like angry rants on a few occaisions.

What did you like best about this story?

With Buddhism and aspects of Buddhism and mindfulness becoming an ever growing part of pop culture, Dzongsar Khyentse does a wonderful job of distilling what is actually Buddhism.

What three words best describe Tom Pile’s voice?

Clear, professional, edgy

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It's better to contemplate a chapter at a time.

Any additional comments?

One of the things that makes Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche such a great writer and teacher is one of the reasons why Tom Pile's narration doesn't quite work for me. Khyentse's words are oftentimes full of a sharp uncompromising bite, but there is very often a sense of humor there as well. When you hear him speak, you get the humor. Unfortunately the narration was unable to express that subtlety. When the author does cast an unflinching eye on things, not holding his punches, he is doing so without any anger or judgement - simply stating the facts as things we oftentimes would like to bury under the rug or cast a blind eye to. In these cases, again I'm afraid the narration colors the words with a little too much edge and starts to make the author sound like he's on an angry rant in cases where he's actually pointing things out rather impartially. Mr. Pile is an excellent reader and narrator, so it is not a criticism of his talent, rather his approach to the material, something in which the producers could have steered him differently.

What made the experience of listening to What Makes You Not a Buddhist the most enjoyable?

I liked the dogged take of the author as he castigated a lot of our admittedly decadent culture. It's a bracing if a bit tiresome antidote to the usual Buddhist-lite fare Westerners often prefer. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse also made the films The Cup and Travellers and Magicians under his birth name of Khytense Norbu, as a relevant aside, so he knows how to address a wider audience than most Tibetan-trained dharma teachers.

What other book might you compare What Makes You Not a Buddhist to and why?

The two books "Magic of Awareness" and "No Self, No Problem" by another Tibetan now teaching in the West, Anam Thubten, are gentler in tone but sometimes as insistent on the need to break free of Buddhist conventions. He discusses the traditions but does not stick so much to their conventional titles, much as Khytense does here, to broaden accessibility. (These are also on Audible as well as Amazon US and I reviewed them recently, too.)

What does Tom Pile bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A curious insistence on a rough-hewn, no-nonsense approach. Rather indignant or cranky. It fits the author, but it's far from the calm tones one associates with a Buddhist teacher. I like the lack of stereotype, but it may jar or annoy some readers who favor gentle platitudes.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but the references to Eminem, Bush jr, and Paris Hilton from a decade ago already feel dated. Similar to the Jesus Freaks books in the early '70s, this may feel more a relic of its time than intended, as the author tries to link his material to then-current culture and trends.

Any additional comments?

It's recommended for those with a prior grounding in dharma and practice. Not to sound snobbish, but like Thubten's books, these seem addressed at those already in the know. This focuses, as an example, not on the 4 Noble Truths but on the four seals, so it's not for beginners who may need rather a primer on the terms, concepts, and practices in dharma.

This book is one part exposition (of the four seals), one part sophistry, and two parts scolding. It would have been better to simply explain the seals and their implications for understanding reality and for engaging that reality in our own lives. But no, we are continually expected to share the author’s distain for things like face creams. Although he asserts that Buddhists do not proselytize, this volume seems dedicated to showing us the error of our ways. It would have been better to explain Buddhism.

whining, complaining, ranting steeped in deep negativity, bitterness and extreme social conservativism. not normally considered the taos of a buddhist but those are the overriding traits of the "author" who actually claims to be a "trained buddhist". he's trained at something, but whatever it is, it is not good. makes one wish for time and money as non transient things so I could get them back, change them into monkey poop and throw it at the author.

not really about buddhism. uses buddhism as launching platform to go on rants as a comparison to buddha or buddhism.the Prince Charles part ended it for me.this supposed buddhist needs to spend more time studying the Dhamma. Really.and less time with the news or television.

The essential buddhist introductory book in my opinion. Rinpoche words is like a razor, cutting trough all misconceptions.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Scott

10/25/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good Stuff"

Probably the best introduction to buddhism i've came across so far. An informative source and entertaining listen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gareth Hogan

12/3/16

Overall

"Wow, it's like having a psychopath whispering in your ear."

I got this because there's supposed to be wit in here somewhere. However, the narrator sounds angry all the time, and he talks in a loud whisper. So, all the jokes actually sound like threats, and most of the book seems to be an insult.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

S. Nanra

Ealing, United Kingdom

5/8/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Scoop - The Truth about Buddhism"

Sharp and incisive dissection of the reality of Buddihism in the modern world. What it is, and importantly, what it isn't. The clarity is astounding, and is put forward with such simplicity - no words are wasted.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Foxfire

Sussex, UK

3/25/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Understanding Buddhism for everyone"

I have read over twenty book about Buddhism and its practices by the most venerable of authors, but this book is outstanding.

For the beginner it is easy to understand what is Buddhism, but what it means to or rather what it does not mean. It explains the for noble truths with an ease that can put you on your way towards the so called 21 steps to eliminate the ignorance from our minds.

Enjoy freeing your mind from the shackles of ignorance

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

C. Davison

Uk

12/28/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fascinating ."

This book offered the answers to many of the questions I sought about Buddhism , it was interesting from beginning to end .

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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